and Oscar De La Hoya at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino and streamed live on DAZN)

Photos by Tom Hogan-Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

INDIO, CALIF. (Feb. 9, 2019): Andrew Cancio (20-4-2, 15 KOs) of Blythe, Calif. scored an upset victory over Alberto Machado (21-1, 17 KOs) of San Juan, Puerto Rico in front of a sold-out crowd of hometown fans at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino to become the new WBA Super Featherweight World Champion. Cancio, who himself was dropped in the first round, scored three knockdowns over Machado, forcing the fight to be stopped at 2:16 of the fourth round. The fight was streamed live on DAZN.

“This was the fight of my life,” said Andrew Cancio. “I feel extremely great winning this world title by knockout. I did not let this fight go to the judges’ scorecards. It’s been a long road, and it felt like we thought it would: unbelievable. For me to execute a plan like we did feels great. He caught me early, but it was a flash knockdown. I got my legs back and got my composure. I was never out of the fight. I’m extremely happy.”

“I felt weak in there,” said Alberto Machado. “The rematch would be nice, but I think I have to move up to 130 pounds. We will see.”

“I feel good but he fought too dirty,” said Rey Vargas. “I like to fight clean, not dirty like he did. It was a complicated and he’s tough. But I adjusted to his style, and that’s how I won. I wished he would have fought cleaner, but I did what I could.”

“I felt uncomfortable because he was taller than me, said Franklin Manzanilla. “I haven’t fought anyone that tall before. I hurt him in the second round and I tried to continue that momentum. I feel I did well.”

“I did really good,” said Joseph Diaz. “I moved up in weight and showcased in this new 130-pound division. I was able to look good and push back a super featherweight in Huerta. I had him hurt a few times, but I couldn’t finish him because he’s such a warrior. At the end of the day, I had to do my job and that’s what I did.”

“It was the right decision,” said Charles Huerta. “Besides the first round, I took the pedal off the gas. I waited too much. He countered me well, and I let him dictate the pace. I had a 17-month layoff, and I feel I did well. I hope I come back for another opportunity soon.”

Adrian Estrella (29-3, 24 KOs) of Nuevo Leon, Mexico defeated Oscar Duarte (15-1-1, 10 KOs) of Parral, Mexico via majority decision for the vacant WBC Continental Americas Lightweight Title in a ten-round fight. Two judges scored the fight 96-94 and 98-92 in favor of Estrella, while one judge scored it 96-94 in favor of Duarte.

“This is something I’ve worked hard to get for many years,” said Adrian Estrella. “Working my distance was key in this fight. It’s hard to knockout Oscar Duarte. And he was getting stronger in every round. So, I decided to jab and work the distance. I got a split decision, but that’s okay. As long as I get the win, that’s fine with me.”

“I don’t think the decision was right,” said Oscar Duarte. “I thought it was a draw. I was pressuring the whole time. I feel I need to learn a lot more.”

Tureano Johnson (20-2-1, 14 KOs) of Nassau, Bahamas and Fernando Castaneda (26-13-1, 17 KOs) of Aguascaliente, Mexico fought to a split draw in an eight-round middleweight fight. One judge scored it 77-75 in favor in Johnson, while another scored it 77-75 in favor of Castaneda. One judge scored it 76-76, resulting in a split draw

“I want to thank God for this opportunity,” said Tureano Johnson. I want to thank Golden Boy and DAZN. He [Castaneda] did an awesome job. It is a disappointment for me, but now I’m looking for bigger and better things. It wasn’t me overlooking him. My corner was there. I didn’t execute the way I should have. I wasn’t listening to my corner. Next time I will do better. Tureano will be back.”

“We did a good fight,” said Fernando Castaneda. “It was against a fighter without a lot of experience. I want a rematch because I did a good job. I worked him to the body and wore him down. I want to thank Golden Boy for this opportunity.”

Azat Hovhannisyan (16-3, 13 KOs) of Los Angeles, Calif. defeated Lolito Sonsona (22-3-4, 9 KOs) of General Santos City, Philippines via KO in the fifth round of a super bantamweight bout originally scheduled for 10 rounds. Azat Hovhannisyan won with a time of 2:30 of the aforementioned round.

“I feel good about the fight,” said Azat Hovhannisyan. “I trained hard for this fight. I’m surprised [Sonsona] prepared so well. I wish I could have looked better, but a win is a win and a knockout is a knockout. I hope to look better next time!”

Rommel Caballero (5-0, 4 KOs) of Coachella, Calif. defeated Javier Rojas (1-3, 1 KOs) of Mexicali, Mexico via knockout in the first round of a super featherweight fight originally slated for four rounds. Caballero won with time of 1:58 of the first round.

“It feels great coming back,” said Rommel Caballero. “I’m back doing what I love and what I do best: boxing. I want to dedicate this fight to an important person who passed away, Marcos Brambila.”

Machado vs. Cancio was a 12-round fight for the WBA Super Featherweight World

Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions. Vargas vs. Manzanilla was a 12-round battle for the WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Promociones del Pueblo. The event was sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING,” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event took place Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. The fights were streamed live on DAZN.

Baltimore’s Davis (21-0, 20 KOs) recorded his eighth career first-round knockout as referee Jack Reiss called off the fight with one second remaining in the first round following a devastating sweeping right hook by Davis connected cleanly and sent Ruiz (39-5, 32 KOs) down to his knees.

Davis, who entered the ring to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, wasted little time showing why he is one of boxing rising super stars with his impressive fourth win in a world title fight. The 24-year-old Davis is the youngest U.S.-born world titlist in boxing and was headlining for the first time.

With his promoter Floyd Mayweather looking on, Davis made quick work of his late-replacement opponent. “I knew it was coming,” he said. “I wanted to go more rounds, but I knew if I got him out of there early I could fight again sooner. When I touched the jab I saw his arm was in front of his face so if I threw a hook or uppercut it was right in line.”

Davis, who has now stopped his last 12 opponents, connected on 50 percent of his power punches, just under the 51 percent power accuracy he logged in his last four fights.

The late substitute 32-year-old Ruiz was fighting for the second time in three weeks as he replaced the injured Abner Mares. Ruiz was used to being on the other side of first-round knockouts having recorded 18 of his own during his career.

“As soon as he started landing punches, I could feel them,” Ruiz said. “I have a lot of first round knock outs, today was my turn to lose in the first round. It happens in boxing.”

Next up for Davis could be the winner of the March 2 Ricardo Nunez-Edner Cherry WBA Eliminator on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center. “We could do that,” Davis said. “At the end of the day I’m a fighter. I’m a fighter and I have a great team. One of the best in the sport. I believe in my team and whatever they line up, I’m ready.

In the co-feature, Mario Barrios (23-0, 14 KOs) knocked out his seventh consecutive opponent as the 23-year-old from San Antonio stopped Mexico’s Richard Zamora (15-3, 10 KOs). The stoppage came at 2:16 in round four as referee Ray Corona waved off the fight after a barrage of Barrios punches landed cleanly and dazed the game Zamora.

With noted trained Virgil Hunter in his corner, the accurate Barrios landed a staggering 59 percent of his power punches, including 37 of 58 (64 percent) in the fourth and final round.

“He wasn’t an easy target at all,” said Barrios, who sparred with Amir Khan and Devin Haney in training camp and is the WBA’s No. 1 ranked fighter at 140 pounds. We just used everything we worked on in camp to find my range.”

He added: “It was an amazing fight. I tip my hat to Zamora – he’s a hell of a warrior. I wish him nothing but the best for the rest of his career. Like he said at the press conference, he wanted a war and I brought it to him. Total respect to him.”

Zamora was making his United States debut. “I came to fight,” he said. “I didn’t come to lay down. I thought I still could have fought more. I don’t want to criticize the referee. He did what he had to do.”

Barrios said he’s ready for the next big step-up in his career. “That’s up to my managerial team,” he said. “Whenever they feel I’m ready I’ll fight for a world title. Any one of them. I am knocking down the door for a world title right now.”

In the telecast opener, Javier Fortuna (34-2-1, 23 KOs) won a unanimous decision against Sharif Bogere (32-2, 20 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight bout. All three judges scored the fight 96-93 in favor of Fortuna.

The southpaw Fortuna, of Braintree, Mass, by way of the Dominican Republic, knocked down Bogere in the sixth round, the same round Bogere suffered a nasty cut above his right eye after an accidental head clash.

The knockdown occurred after a powerful left uppercut by Fortuna dazed Bogere, who appeared to be pushed down and touched his glove on the canvas. Referee Edward Collantes scored it a knockdown, giving Fortuna the 10-8 round.

“(The knock down) was correct,” said Fortuna, who said he would love a future shot against Davis. “I saw his eyes were a little glossy and his legs buckled a bit. When I saw that he was cut, the game plan changed again and we had to work again to attack the cut.”

Originally from Uganda but now living in Las Vegas, Bogere gave himself a seven out of 10 grade. “I think I won the fight,” he said. “Even the knockdown was bull. He kept coming at me with the head. He kept trying to head butt me. The challenge was that there was blood in my eye. The first couple of rounds I was boxing him easily.”

At the midway point of the fight, Fortuna began pulling away winning rounds six, seven and eight on SHOWTIME Steve Farhood’s unofficial scorecard as Bogere continued to fade, although coming back to win round nine on Farhood’s card.

In the power punch category, Fortuna connected on 89 of 310 punches for 29 percent while Bogere landed 59 of 317 for just 19 percent. Bogere was riding a 13-fight winning streak over the past six years coming into the fight.

“What I want right now is a contract so I can fight Gervonta Davis wherever. Lomachenko, any of them,” said Fortuna, who had a No Decision against Adrian Granados last June on SHOWTIME after falling out of the ring in the fourth round suffering a head and neck injury.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN featured two live undercard fights on social media platforms leading into the televised tripleheader. Former world title challenger Erickson Lubin (20-1, 15 KOs) knocked down Ishe Smith (29-11, 12 KOs) a total of four times before the fight was stopped at the end of round three in a scheduled 10-round super welterweight bout. Undefeated super lightweight Juan Heraldez (16-0, 10 KOs) stopped Eddie Ramirez (17-3, 11 KOs) in round seven of a scheduled 10-round fight.

Ramirez-Jose Zepeda and Ray Beltran-Hiroki Okada to be televised LIVE on Sunday, Feb. 10 on ESPN and ESPN Deportes beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

(Photo Credit: Mikey WIlliams/Top Rank)

CLOVIS, Calif. (Feb. 7, 2019) — WBC super lightweight champion Jose Ramirez has fought for many causes near and dear to his heart and to the citizens of California’s Central Valley. As he readies to defend his title against Jose “Chon” Zepeda on Sunday at Fresno’s Save Mart Center, Ramirez is using his platform to continue the fight against cancer.

Ramirez, along with undefeated prospect Gabriel Flores Jr., visited cancer patients and their families Thursday at the Community Cancer Institute, one of the nation’s premier cancer treatment facilities.

“I lost my grandpa to cancer a few months ago, and I saw how important it was that he had the love and support of his family,” Ramirez said. “If the patient is fighting, then the family should be there fighting as well. I think that’s what you are going to see on Sunday. The whole Central Valley community is also fighting with you guys and will be bringing that motivation and encouragement.”

More than 10,000 fans are expected to pack the Save Mart Center to watch Ramirez, who hails from nearby Avenal. Ramirez will auction off his fight-worn purple gloves and assorted fight night attire, with all proceeds benefitting the Community Cancer Institute. A portion of all ticket sales will be donated to the Community Cancer Institute, and Ramirez and his manager, Rick Mirigian, will also donate 1,000 tickets to Community Cancer Institute patients and their families.

When Ramirez walks to the ring, everyone in the arena will hold up a special sign that reads, ‘”Let’s KO Cancer.”

Ramirez-Zepeda and the 140-pound showdown between former lightweight world champion Ray Beltran and Hiroki Okada will headline a special Top Rank on ESPN card beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Flores’ bout against Alex Torres Rynn will be part of the ESPN+ undercard stream beginning at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets to this world championship event priced at $150, $90, $60, $35, and $25 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Save Mart Center box office, Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.

Some of the biggest stars in football, including Alex Scott, Marcel Desailly, Nadine Kessler, Michael Essien, Laura Georges and Gilberto Silva, have assembled as part of a 23-strong FIFA Legends squad for a campaign that will see these illustrious footballing personalities harness their sporting superpowers and turn into superheroes on a mission to promote the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 and the women’s game in general.

With just four months to go before FIFA’s flagship women’s football tournament kicks off, 23 current and former players, representing 19 of the tournament’s qualified nations, are coming together in a one-of-a-kind promotional initiative to support the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 and drive match attendances, increase TV viewership, generate engagement and inspire a new generation to play women’s football.

Made up of 13 women and ten men, the squad members were selected for their superhuman qualities and unshakeable commitment on and off the pitch. Each has had to overcome obstacles in the face of adversity and as part of the campaign and the wider FIFA #DareToShine movement, will be encouraging women and girls to push boundaries to succeed in all areas of life.

Former England footballer Alex Scott said: “Who hasn’t dreamed of being a superhero?! I’m so excited about #LegendsAssemble because my alter ego, Trail Blazer, has only one objective – to empower girls and women and encourage them to play football!”

This coming together of FIFA Women’s World Cup Legends is visualised through a launch video, where each player is given a call to arms and transformed into their alter-ego showing them in their national team colours and sporting superpowers that range from shapeshifting to genius intelligence and X-ray vision. This will be followed up with a 23-episode series of mini-films that will give an insight into the #LegendsAssemble movement and reveal the relationships that defined them as footballers as well as the struggles that influenced them to become advocates for the women’s game.

Speaking about the #LegendsAssemble project, Michael Essien said: “Watch out – as The Bison I am indestructible! I will use this power to change the way people see women’s football and get everyone to rally behind the biggest sporting competition this summer – the FIFA Women’s World Cup!”

As part of the #LegendsAssemble campaign, the FIFA Legends have committed to raising the profile of women’s football both on- and offline. Fans will be able to meet their superheroes ahead of the tournament kick-off, when individual squad members will take part in almost 100 events across the world that will include trophy tours, Host City activations and media appearances, in addition to attending matches during the tournament.

“The eighth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup will be very special and it takes place at a time when women around the globe are uniting to make their voices heard. The tournament’s official slogan “Dare to Shine” echoes the current world movement towards female empowerment and I am looking forward to seeing teams of strong and passionate women, from 24 different countries, illuminate football stadiums in France with their skill. Our superheroes will help us to reach a global audience of one billion and make the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 our biggest and best yet – for players, for fans, for local communities and for the empowerment of girls and women.”

UFC® RETURNS TO NASHVILLE WITH A MARCH 23rd BATTLE BETWEEN ELITE STRIKERS, EXCLUSIVELY ON ESPN+

FEATURED BOUTS:

(#4) STEPHEN THOMPSON vs. (#8 – LW) ANTHONY PETTIS

(#4) CURTIS BLAYDES vs. (#10) JUSTIN WILLIS

TICKETS FOR MARCH 23rdUFC FIGHT NIGHT ON ESPN+®: THOMPSON vs. PETTIS

AT BRIDGESTONE ARENA GO ON SALE FRIDAY, FEB. 8

Las Vegas – UFC® returns to Nashville, Tenn. for the first time in almost two years with a battle between two of the most elite strikers in UFC history as two-time welterweight title challenger and current No.4-ranked contender Stephen Thompson looks to spoil the 170-pound debut of former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis. Also, No.4-ranked heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes intends to bounce back into the win column by handing Justin Willis his first loss in the UFC. UFC FIGHT NIGHT ON ESPN+®: THOMPSON vs. PETTIS will stream live from Bridgestone Arena exclusively on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. CT/8 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 23, with the ESPN+ prelims kicking off the evening at 4 p.m. CT/5 p.m. ET. Doors open at 3 p.m. CT/4 p.m. ET. All UFC live events on ESPN+ will be available in English and Spanish.

A five-time world champion in kickboxing with an incredible record of 58-0 with over 40 KOs, Thompson (14-3-1, fighting out of Simpsonville, S.C.)is one of the most highly-decorated strikers to ever compete in the UFC. Since joining the UFC in 2012, Thompson compiled a record of 9-3-1, including first-round KOs over former welterweight champion Johny Hendricks and current middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. Now set to compete for this first time in almost a year, Thompson aims to re-enter the championship conversation by securing the sixth post-fight bonus of his career with another highlight-reel KO.

Former lightweight champion and featherweight title challenger Pettis (21-8, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wis.) competes in his third weight class under the UFC banner as he moves up to welterweight in the Octagon for the first time. A third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, Pettis has landed some of the most spectacular KOs in UFC history, including back-to-back first-round KOs over Joe Lauzon and Donald Cerrone. Coming off one of the best fights of 2018 against Tony Ferguson in the co-main event of UFC 229, Pettis is eager to return to the Octagon and put on another bonus-winning performance for his fans.

Hoping to kick off 2019 with another long winning streak, Blaydes (10-2, fighting out of Chicago, Ill.) will look to secure his ninth victory by way of KO. A 2012 NJCAA national champion in wrestling, Blaydes smoothly transitioned to MMA and has already defeated legends such as Mark Hunt and Alistair Overeem in his young career. Now, Blaydes aims to insert himself back into the title picture with his sixth win in the Octagon.

Willis (8-1, fighting out of San Jose, Calif.) intends to stay undefeated in the UFC as he prepares to take on the highest-ranked opponent of his career. After losing his first professional fight, Willis has won eight bouts in a row, with four of those victories coming by way of KO. Coming off the biggest win of his career against Hunt, Willis now looks to continue his momentum and work towards his first UFC title shot.

Announced bouts on the card include:

No.1-ranked flyweight contender Jussier Formiga (22-5, fighting out of Natal, Brazil) looks to secure his first UFC title shot by being the only man to defeat No.4-ranked Deiveson Figueiredo (15-0, fighting out of Soure, Brazil)

No.5-ranked women’s flyweight contender Alexis Davis(19-8, fighting out of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada) intends to defend her spot in line for the title when she battles former Invicta flyweight champion Jennifer Maia (15-5-1, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil)

No.14-ranked women’s strawweight contender Randa Markos(8-7-1, fighting out of Windsor, Ontario, Canada) aims to break into the top-10 with an impressive performance over veteran Angela Hill(8-5, fighting out of San Diego, Calif.)

In a flyweight bout, Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series standout Maycee Barber(6-0, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) looks to stay undefeated in her career when she takes on JJ Aldrich (7-2, fighting out of Westminster, Colo.)

Both hungry for their first UFC win, Martin Day(8-3, fighting out of Kailua, Hawaii) battles Chris Gutierrez(12-3-1, fighting out of Littleton, Colo.)

The Ultimate Fighter semi-finalist Bryce Mitchell(10-0, fighting out of Searcy, Ark.) looks to stay undefeated as he takes on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series signeeBobby Moffett (14-3, fighting out of Homewood, Ill.)

John Makdessi(16-6, fighting out of Montreal, Quebec, Canada) aims to make it three wins in a row when he takes on German prospect Nasrat Haqparast (10-2, fighting out of Hamburg, Germany)

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.UFC.com. All bouts live and subject to change.